Bulldogs fall in OT, 2-1, to CCSU

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – Despite holding the lead into the final 15 minutes of play, the Bryant University women's soccer team fell to Central Connecticut in overtime, 2-1, Friday afternoon in its season finale.

CCSU's Kerriann Welch beat an oncoming Lauren Viverito (Dayton, N.J.) and found a streaking Allison Kelley in the 92nd minute to propel the Blue Devils to the 2-1 victory. With the loss, the Bulldogs wrap up the 2013 season with a 5-13-1 overall mark.

Senior Julie Vajda (Midland Park, N.J.) broke a scoreless tie in the 60th minute on a blast from the top of the box from junior Danielle Scheuer (Acton, Mass). The goal marked the senior's third in as many games.

Nearly 20 minutes later, Central Connecticut knotted it up again when Welch made an impressive run from midfield up the left sideline to beat Viverito to the far post. Despite multiple scoring opportunities for both teams, the match remained tied, 1-1, until Kelley helped her team stay alive in the Northeast Conference standings with a marker in the 92nd minute.

Viverito made a quartet of saves, including a pair of diving stops, in her final match donning the Black and Gold, while CCSU keeper Nikola Deiter stopped four Bryant chances.

In what began as a streaky start to the season, the Bulldogs struggled down the stretch, dropping four-straight one-goal losses, including a pair of overtime heartbreakers. Despite the loss of a strong senior class, the Black and Gold return a promising group in 2014 as they continue to seek their first ever Northeast Conference Tournament bid.

For all the latest news on the Bryant University women's soccer team, visit BryantBulldogs.com.